I woke early this morning, and prayed for about an hour in the spirit as to what the Lord is teaching me, as I cleared my mind and soul of all worry, fear and doubt, and set my heart and mind on things above!
The Lord calls us to be thankful in all things, which include trials and tribulations that will come to test us as we walk in the wilderness, and its what we do with these tests that will make us or break us!
So I come before my Almighty creator in humble thanksgiving for His great mercy, patients and long suffering for me and all mankind, especially for those who are still in bondage to the world and its ways. Or in bondage to sins of the flesh, thinking its OK because Almighty God doesnt see them sinning in this way, and will eventually clean them up, but this is mocking His great mercy and patients and why?
Because He has given us a way out, a brilliant plan of redemption long forgotten in the church today, that Has replaced Gods plan of redemption with a Cotton candy message, getting sinners saved In sin and bondage, telling them to just accept, believe, and confess they are sinners,, then God will accept them just how they are, but with not leave them that way!
Bur God is calling mankind to repent, seek His great mercy, and walk worthy of our calling on the narrow road, and I am thankful for this great freedom He has given me over sin, temptation and the devil, through the precious blood of His son,who was a sin offering, not a sin replacement, Jesus isn't the cure of sin, but the deliver of it,through the redemption process!
Jesus came to heal the sick, to set them free, to give them a perfect example to follow and obey until He returns, or we die,He offers all who repent,and obey a new life and heart,of peace, filled with sincerity, purity and love, removing any defilement and sin we used to hold on to.
We must be thankful also for the great privilege God gives us to repent, and seek His mercy,through a humble,broken heart, that has gone through a crisis of conviction, leading to real godly sorrow that produces brokenness and humility, to receive the spirit, and now walk in newness of life, guarding our hearts ever day, from the corrupting influence of sin and worldliness, and be very thankful for this great gift of freedom He has given us,,not to be taken for granted, but cherished and held dear to the heart!
I pray many on this very popular Christian forum, will see just how vital it is to be thankful for the truth, and seek it with all thier being!
We walk in newness of life through the power of the Holy Spirit, which is another precious gift given to us by God, not to be take for granted, as if we walk in the spirit we will give no provision for the flesh.
SO Gods great hand of mercy is waiting patiently for you to lay aside all wickedness and filthyness in repentance, and bow down humbly before His throne to receive His grace and mercy, not still in your sins and rebellion, but having done your reasonable act of service, offering up your body as a living sacrifice to Him, Holy and pleasing to Him! Romans Ch 12-1-2!
The joy comes from freedom from the bondages of sin and worldliness, in reality and power, its not a lifelong process but a miraculous gift God has given to the few who heed His call to, repent, and prove your repentance is real by your deeds and purity. 2 Cor 7-10-11.
Then our faith, which is obedience to the truth from the heart,not the letter of the law sets us free even more to be a strong light and witness to a lost and dying world and church!
I praise Jesus for His great power to free mankind from sin, to an obedient life on the narrow path, and also for His great patients for all our faults and mistakes, as we grow more in the light He gives us, knowing our old man(flesh) has been crucified with Him in reality, which was done in repentance once and for all! Gal 5-24.
Remember if Jesus was our substitute as most teach, then all is finished, He obeyed for us, all sins must be forgiven, and any obedient faith of Abraham is just a suggestion and not mandatory!
I believe Jesus gives us the power to be overcomer's in all situations we find ourselves in, He didn't overcome for us, but made it perfectly clear, the road is narrow, few will find it, repent or perish, obey my commands, be doers of my word, love not the world,depart from iniquity, which are commands, not suggestions, or a done deal, this is the joy, walking with Him and suffering in His death, being dead to sin, and waling in the light with Him!